IOBE economic climate index rises in Greece for September

The IOBE economic climate index rose slightly to 107.6 points in September, up from 107.2 points in July. This improvement was driven by enhanced expectations in the industrial and services sectors, alongside a significant boost in household consumer confidence.

In contrast, the construction and retail sectors experienced declines. The construction sector saw a sharp downturn attributed to a slump in public works, while retail showed marginal weakness due to pessimistic future sales forecasts. In the industrial sector, there was a slight improvement in the balance of orders and current demand.

While consumers expressed more optimism regarding their personal finances and the national economic situation, rising energy prices and costs for essential goods continue to pressure both households and businesses. Future economic trends are expected to be influenced by the pre-election period, political developments, and the broader European inflationary environment.